Merry-go-round



3,1931. p c, ELL 1,791,227

MERRY-GO-ROUND Filed April 22, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i Inventor K n I? Byflmwlih A itomey Feb. 3, 1931 P. c. RUSSELL MERRY- GO -ROUND 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Ap'ril 22, 1929 u 5 a 7 z z a a 4 w K, a m 4 4 5 2 M 5 4 Inventor Per 6' 75 866.93 ZZ A ttorney Patented Feb. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PERRY C. RUSSELL, OF ELLWOOD CITY, PENNSYLVANIA MERRY-GO-ROUNID Application filed April 22,

This invention relates to an improved merry-go-roundand it has-reference to one which is particularly adapted for use in public playgrounds and other amusement parks for children.

The invention has more specific reference to a device of this class whereinthe rotary head is operated substantially automatically by. shifting of the body of the occupants, by gravity, and the momentum gained after the initial revolution.

My principal aim is to provide a comparatively simple structure which may be operated with all due safety, one whichis exceptionally sturdy in construction. highly attractive and amusing and successful in carrying out the results in View.

In carrying the invention into effect I have found it expedient to utilize parts which are readily. procurable, suchas for instance angle irons, and common pipes in constructing the major details of the rotary occupant carrying head. p I

"Particular emphasis is to be placed upon the construction of an inclined rotary head characterized by a novel hub structure and properly bracedradiating arms onthe outer ends .ofwhich .are especiallydesigned seats for the'occupants, each of which isequipped with a guard, whereby to permit a small child to be safely confined within the guard and a larger child to occupy the seat for safe guidanceof the little one. r

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the draw1ngs:. 1 V F gure 1 1s a side elevational'vlew of a .merry-go-round constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the rotary head.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section and elevation showing the hub and the method of mounting it on the supporting shaft.

Figured is a transverse section taken approximately upon the plane of the'line 1- 1 of Figure? Figure!) isafragmentary elevational view 1929. Serial a... 357,042.

mounted on the upper ends of the uprights 8 and 9, as illustrated'to advantage in Figure 1 of the drawings. The reference character 10 designates cross brace, and 11 designates a clamping bracket for the inclined shaft 12 which extends centrally through the plate A. Incidentally in most instances this shaft may be mounted rigidly on the supporting frame structure. It is-possible however,

to accomplish substantially the same result by having this shaft rotatably mounted on 7 the support in appropriate bearings .not' shown.

v The upper portion of the shaft designated at 13 extends upwardly and forwardly beyond the support. It is reduced in diameter as at 14 in Figure 3 to provide an annular shoulder. v Moreover the uppermost end is further reduced as at 15 to provide a similar shoulder at 16. These shoulders and reduced portions accommodate the hub structure 17 of the complete revolving or rotary head 18. Thehead is made up principally of the central hub structure and the radiating armgenerally designated by'the reference character 19. The complete head isinclined obliquely with respectto the base 7 and also with respect to the supporting surface. In other words it is at right angles to the inclined supporting shaft 12. The arms as seen in Figure 1 are each composed of spaced parallel angle irons 2O fastened at their intermediate portionstothe hub structure as seeninFig ure 3. The novel seat is'provided at-theouter end ofthese angle irons. As the seat in each instance is the same-the'construction of one will suffice for all. Referring to Figure 2 for instance it will be seen that the reference character 21 designates a seat board which is appropriately designed to permit it to be straddled by the occupants. As before stated, there are two occupants supposed to ride on each seat, the little one at the front and the larger one at the rear. For convenience of the larger child I provide suitably suspended stirrups 22. The reference character 23 designates a substantially U-shaped guard clamp attached to appropriate brackets 24. The ends of the arms are flared outwardly and terminate in convenient hand grips 25. Hence the little one is confined in this guard and also guarded against displacement by the arms of the larger ones holding on to the hand grip.

Attention is now invited more particularly to Figure 3 wherein one embodiment of the hub structure 17 is shown. This comprises a rectangular top plate 26 having a bearing cup 27 formed on its bottom and provided with a central opening to accommodate the extremity 15 of the aforesaid shaft. This cup accommodates appropriate roller bearng units 28 to facilitate rotation. This hearing is cooperable with the shoulder 16. Attached to and depending from this top plate are vertical angle irons or cornice members 29 fastened at their lower ends to the bottom plate 30. This is also rectangular as seen in Figure 4 and provided with a central pressed bearing cup 31 containing a bearing unit 32 cooperable with the shoulder 14. The hub has free rotation on the shaft through the medium of the bearing units and retaining cups. Attached to the stud 33 and inclined downwardly and fastened at their upper ends to appropriate attaching brackets on the arms are bracing and guy wires 34, as seen better in Figure 1. Thus, a freely rotatable occupant actuated and carrying head is suspended from the support through the me dium of the shaft 12.

In some instances instead of employing arms 19 in the form of angle irons 20 it is desirable to provide a single tube or pipe. In this instance the cup structure as seen in Figures 5 and 6 is distinguished by including outstanding sockets 35 to telescopically receive the arm forming pipes (not shown). These may be welded or otherwise fastened in place. This will necessitate a slight difference in the mounting of the seats on the outer end but the seats will be the same as those already described.

From the foregoing description and drawings it will be seen that I have evolved and produced a novel gymnastic merry-go-round. It includes an inclined freely rotatable head for a multiplicity of occupants and the action is such that the head literally glides around in a rather rapid manner. It promotes eX- cellent and beneficial excitement, is serviceable, and lively in action. The peculiar slant of the head with respect to the support and ground is such as to permit the desired impetus to be rapidly gained. It is of course diflicult to actually display in words motion of the occupants but experience shows that it requires but little teaching to show them how to move the body in order to obtain the desired momentum and to keep up a continuous pace. Naturally the occupants at the highest elevation travel rather rapidly downward toward the ground, while those ascending move quite as rapidly upwardly. Particular- 1y, do I wish to emphasize the fact that no power means is required and that the bodily movement of the occupant is suficient aided by gravitation to keep up a stirring motion such as is invigorating and otherwise beneficial in result. It is thought unnecessary, however, to delve deeply into the beneficial properties and is thought suflicient to emphasize the constructional features in order to permit the reader to obtain a clear understanding of the construction and operation and advantages of the machine. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An amusement apparatus of the character described comprising a horizontal base, upwardly converging uprights mounted on the base, certain of said uprights being longer than the others, an inclined plate secured on the upper ends of the uprights and rigidly connecting the same together, an inclined shaft extending through the plate at substantially right angles thereto and rigidly connected at its lower end portion to certain of the uprights, and an occupant carrying head mounted for rotation on the upper end portion of the shaft in a plane substantially at right angles thereto.

2. An amusement apparatus of the character described comprising a horizontal base, upwardly converging uprights mounted on the base, certain of said uprights being longer than the others, an inclined plate secured on the upper ends of the uprights and rigidly connecting the same together, an inclined shaft extending through the plate at substantially right angles thereto and rigidly connected at its lower end portion to certain of the uprights, said shaft being reduced in diameter at longitudinally spaced points above the inclined plate in a manner to provide upper and lower shoulders, flat, rectangular, spaced plates encircling the shaft and rotatably supported on the shoulders, antifriction thrust bearings disposed between the 

